ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) has unveiled a new study highlighting significant challenges faced by Asian organisations in advancing their artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. Despite high adoption rates, with nearly 90% of firms embarking on AI projects, 71% remain stuck in the initial “Builder” stage, unable to scale their efforts into production environments that yield measurable returns on investment.
The study, conducted with research partner Ecosystm, surveyed over 600 enterprise and digital-native leaders across nine Asian markets, including Singapore, India, and Japan. It reveals that only 17% of organisations are “future-ready,” having invested in scalable infrastructure and operational expertise. Chris Street, Group Chief Revenue Officer of STT GDC, noted, “Without scalable infrastructure and operational readiness, it becomes difficult to convert early AI ambition into consistent business value.”
A significant barrier is the lack of infrastructure capable of supporting large-scale AI operations, compounded by a shortage of in-house expertise. This issue is particularly pronounced in Singapore, where 40% of organisations have moved beyond early-stage pilots, yet only 3% have achieved full “Leader” status in AI infrastructure maturity.
The report also highlights a disconnect between organisational priorities and needs. Whilst sustainability is increasingly critical, it remains a secondary consideration for many firms when evaluating infrastructure options. In Singapore, despite high awareness of sustainability issues, it ranks low in priority when choosing infrastructure providers.
The findings suggest that Asia’s next phase of AI development will hinge on execution capabilities rather than ambition alone. For Singapore, maintaining its regional leadership will require evolving infrastructure strategies to support scale, resilience, and speed.
